Ahead of polls, PU rolls out parking stickers for students

To restrict outsiders’ entry on the campus, the Panjab University authorities have launched secure parking stickers for day scholars for the 2025–2026 academic session. The move comes at a time when the university is abuzz with activity ahead of the PU Campus Students Council (PUCSC) elections.

The parking stickers were officially launched by Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig in the presence of Dean Student Welfare Amit Chauhan, DSW (Women) Namita Gupta, Associate DSW Naresh Kumar, Chief of University Security Vikram Singh and some students, who received the stickers.

Encryption to prevent duplication

The advanced stickers are embedded with a QR code for digital verification, a tamper-proof hologram and a unique encrypted symbol to prevent misuse and duplication. The QR codes were securely generated in-house by students of the Computer Science and Engineering Department, UIET, who were appointed under the Earn-While-Learn scheme by the DSW office.

“The stickers are printed on a high-quality reflective surface, ensuring better visibility during both day and night, and enhancing overall security. Student data for issuing stickers is being collected through the university MIS portal, enabling a centralised, transparent, secure and efficient application process. The initiative is aimed at regulating vehicular movement, strengthening campus security and implementing a modern, technology-driven access control system. Stickers will be issued to eligible day scholars,” said Jaspreet Kaur of Department of Botany, who coordinated the project.

Applicants need to register through the PUMIS portal and get validation through the respective department chairperson. After the completion of the sticker distribution drive, vehicles without valid stickers will not be allowed entry on the campus. “Misuse, tampering or unauthorised transfer of stickers will attract strict disciplinary action,” Kaur added.

The VC, meanwhile, appreciated the efforts of the team for developing and efficiently executing this initiative, in a short span of time.

Campus abuzz with student poll activities

Meanwhile, the campus is abuzz with election-related activities, with university officials closely working with the officials of the UT Administration and the Chandigarh Police to maintain decorum.

In the coming weeks, the police and university authorities are planning to organise a meeting of student leaders and political party stakeholders with UT officials. Sources privy to the developments said the police have been asked to keep strict vigil on the campus and interact regularly with university officials.

Campus security takes charge

Amid demands for downsizing the numbers of police personnel on the PU campus, the university authorities are going to take charge of all entry points in assistance with the Chandigarh Police.

“The university security will check the students coming to the campus by verifying their identification cards. On spotting an outsider, the matter will be handed over to the Chandigarh Police personnel. To have a smooth election, we have to ensure safety of students, which can be attained only with a collective effort by the authorities and students,” confirmed a top official of the campus.

The official added that a decision to install cameras at sensitive areas on the campus, including routes leading to Student Centre, Administrative Block, hostel roads and junctions of UIET campus, was also taken during a meeting on Wednesday.